Burnley moved six points clear at the top of the table to help Burnley produce one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Championship. Following his assist just after halftime at Turf Moor for Michael Carrick’s opponents, the 25-year-old winger scored twice in seven second-half minutes. Benson was attempting to retain a loose ball in play on the halfway line when Duncan Watmore, a replacement, scored the Boro goal three minutes after entering the game. He only managed to stupidly hook the ball back towards his own goal, allowing Watmore to sprint through and beat the diving Arijanet Music with a superb near-post finish. On the hour, however, Benson atoned for his oversight as he successfully controlled a long pass from Jordan Beyer.
The Belgian made a sensational cut past full-back Ryan Giles before beating Zack Steffen with a low, left-footed shot to score the equalizer. Only seven minutes later, Benson gave Burnley the lead when Steffen erred in his assessment of his dangerous right-wing cross and it deflected in off the inside of the far post after eluding teammate Jay Rodriguez in the center. After Josh Brownhill’s corner in the 72nd minute, Burnley, on pace for their sixth straight victory at home, scored three goals in the next 12 minutes.
His precise pass caused the Boro defenders to scramble, and Jonny Howson accidentally flicked the ball into his own goal while attempting to clear it. Connor Roberts was given a straight red card and awarded a penalty for Boro in the final minute of regulation after it was determined that the Burnley defender had knocked Chuba Akpom’s header off the line after it had hit the crossbar. However, Muric made a good save on Akpom’s penalty kick by dodging deftly low to his right, allowing Burnley to win.
For more football results, click here
